Cortisol Levels May Predict Future Risk of Having PTSD

People who have higher than normal cortisol levels after arising may find themselves at risk of having PTSD, according to a study headed by researchers based in Universities in New York and San Francisco, California. PTSD is a big problem among those who are constantly exposed to stress, violence and traumatic situations like soldiers, marines and police officers.

In the study, researchers examined salivary samples of 296 police trainees, taking samples after arising and again 30 minutes later. The samples were examined for levels of the hormone cortisol, and its level of rise within 30 minutes termed as Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). The results yielded that those recruits with higher CAR difference are prone to display acute stress symptoms to trauma later as they become police on duty.

So far, the method is the largest and regarded as best in demonstrating a potential technique that can predict the individuals who are vulnerable to stress caused by traumatic experiences, said by the researchers. Only a few studies had been conducted that investigates the association between hormonal activity to PTSD, and this study presents an opportunity to gain new insights in identifying those who are vulnerable to the mental condition.

Still, the researchers recommended that more studies should be conducted as their study “… is just the tip of the iceberg” and can help formulate effective interventions that will minimize occurrence of PTSD.

Currently, it is estimated that an astounding 70% of adults in the U.S alone have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. And in those group, up to 20% will develop PTSD. Up to 5% of Americans have PTSD at any given time and women are twice more likely to have the condition than men.

The results are currently available in the December 2011 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry.

 

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